Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle structure that extends along a longitudinal axis. An engine includes a crankshaft that defines a crank axis disposed substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis. A transmission includes an output shaft that defines a transmission output axis substantially parallel with the crank axis. The transmission output axis is disposed nearer the forward end of the vehicle structure than the crank axis. The crank axis is disposed vertically above the transmission output axis a distance of about 140 mm. The engine includes at least one cylinder bore that defines a bore axis disposed perpendicular to and may intersect the crank axis. The bore axis may be angled toward the forward end of the vehicle structure to define an angle between the bore axis and a vertical plane. The angle between the bore axis and the vertical plane may be about 18°.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling a suspension corner connected to a road wheel in a vehicle's adjustable suspension system. The method includes monitoring operation of the vehicle, detecting an occurrence of a predetermined vehicle event, and detecting a road speed of the vehicle. The method also includes monitoring a ride height of the vehicle at the suspension corner. The vehicle ride height at the suspension corner is selected via a bladder arranged at the suspension corner. The bladder is characterized by a variable height and configured to pump a fluid in response to forces generated at the road wheel and hold a volume of the fluid. The method additionally includes selecting the ride height at the suspension corner in response to the detected occurrence of the predetermined vehicle event and the detected vehicle road speed by regulating the volume of the fluid being held by the bladder.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling a suspension corner connected to a road wheel in a vehicle's adjustable suspension system. The method includes monitoring operation of the vehicle, detecting an occurrence of a predetermined vehicle event, and detecting a road speed of the vehicle. The method also includes monitoring a ride height of the vehicle at the suspension corner. The vehicle ride height at the suspension corner is selected via a bladder arranged at the suspension corner. The bladder is characterized by a variable height and configured to pump a fluid in response to forces generated at the road wheel and hold a volume of the fluid. The method additionally includes selecting the ride height at the suspension corner in response to the detected occurrence of the predetermined vehicle event and the detected vehicle road speed by regulating the volume of the fluid being held by the bladder.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle structure that extends along a longitudinal axis. An engine includes a crankshaft that defines a crank axis disposed substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis. A transmission includes an output shaft that defines a transmission output axis substantially parallel with the crank axis. The transmission output axis is disposed nearer the forward end of the vehicle structure than the crank axis. The crank axis is disposed vertically above the transmission output axis a distance of about 140 mm. The engine includes at least one cylinder bore that defines a bore axis disposed perpendicular to and may intersect the crank axis. The bore axis may be angled toward the forward end of the vehicle structure to define an angle between the bore axis and a vertical plane. The angle between the bore axis and the vertical plane may be about 18°.

Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle having a vehicle body and a road wheel includes a suspension corner connecting the road wheel to the vehicle body. The suspension corner maintains contact between the road wheel and a road surface. The suspension system includes a bladder arranged at the suspension corner for pumping a fluid in response to forces generated at the wheel and holding a volume of the fluid. The suspension system also includes an accumulator in fluid communication with the bladder for selectively accumulating the fluid pumped by and releasing the fluid to the bladder. The suspension system additionally includes a valve for selectively retaining the accumulated fluid in and releasing thereof from the accumulator. The height of the bladder varies in response to the volume of fluid being held by the bladder to set a ride height of the vehicle at the suspension corner.

Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle having a vehicle body and a road wheel includes a suspension corner connecting the road wheel to the vehicle body. The suspension corner maintains contact between the road wheel and a road surface. The suspension system includes a bladder arranged at the suspension corner for pumping a fluid in response to forces generated at the wheel and holding a volume of the fluid. The suspension system also includes a reservoir in fluid communication with the bladder for selectively accumulating the fluid pumped by and releasing the fluid to the bladder. The suspension system additionally includes a valve for selectively retaining the accumulated fluid in and releasing thereof from the reservoir. The height of the bladder varies in response to the volume of fluid being held by the bladder to set a ride height of the vehicle at the suspension corner.

Abstract: An HVAC system for use in a vehicle. The HVAC system comprises an evaporator, a refrigerant compressor that receives a refrigerant from the evaporator and compresses the refrigerant, a condenser that receives the refrigerant from the compressor and has fins with air flowing through the fins to remove heat from a refrigerant flowing through the condenser, and an expansion device that receives the refrigerant from the condenser and directs the refrigerant to the evaporator. The HVAC system also comprises a water tank that receives and stores water, a water spray pump that receives water from the water tank, and a nozzle that receives water from the water spray pump and is located adjacent to the condenser, with the nozzle selectively spraying water on the fins of the condenser.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for fire suppression in an energy storage device. The apparatus comprises an energy storage device having a housing, a first container adapted to be at least partially filled with a fire-suppressing substance, the first container in selective fluid communication with the interior of the housing, and a control system comprising a sensor, the control system adapted to place the first container in fluid communication with the interior of the housing in response to a signal from the sensor.

Abstract: A running board assembly is provided that has structural tubing mounted to one of the spaced, longitudinally-extending frame rails. The structural tubing is configured to bear side impact loads in part by providing a continuous load-bearing path to direct the load to the frame rail. Additionally, because the structural tubing is of a higher strength than materials typically used for running boards, the structural tubing itself absorbs some of the side impact load.